Mise en Scene - Love and War
Speaking about bands that should be on major labels, brings us to Mise en Scene, the dream-pop duo from Winnipeg, who just released the lyric video for “Love and War” via Light Organ Records.
Mise en Scene
Made up of Stef Johnson (vocals, guitar) and Jodi Dunlop (drums), Mise en Scene’s sound blends cool washes of buff dream-pop fused with hints of pop-punk textures into coruscating confections exuding charismatic retro flavors.
Explaining the song’s inspiration, Stef says, “This song is a play on the old saying ‘all is fair in love and war,’ but it’s also about the insecurities that accompany falling in love. It can feel like a battle…One thing we know is that the world has been falling in love and fighting wars since time began and with this song, we investigate the similarities that inherently exist between love and war."
She goes on to talk about the video, adding, “It’s a makeshift world now with all these restrictions during a pandemic. We took to the quiet streets of our small town where we pranced in front of a laundry mat that also has an ice cream parlor. This place is a huge part of our childhood and we wanted to honor its vintage vibes under florescent lights while we lip-synced for our lives, slaying the song while whipping out our fiercest dance moves. Shante we both stay!"
Sparkling with animated zest and zing, the flow and glossy feel of the song generates an irresistible infectious shimmering sonic pressure.
The band’s name – Mise en Scene – derives from the French term designating stage design and placement of actors in theatre or film production. Translated literally, Mise en Scene means “placing on stage.”
Mise en Scene validated their arrival with the release of Desire’s Despair, followed by Still Life on Fire, about which Alaina Shah of CanadianBeats wrote, “Still Life On Fire is brimming with roaring, distorted guitars, screeching, raspy vocals, big drums, and incredibly heavy basslines. The record contains a lot of 90’s grunge influence, as well as a peppering of the riot grrrl genre.”
“Love and War” opens on potent gleaming guitars riding a vibrant rhythm provided by Jodi’s finessed yet muscular percussion. Stef’s stridently trilling voice infuses the lyrics with delicious savors vaguely reminiscent of Belinda Carlisle crossed with Gwen Stefani, chock-full of cocaine-like energy and chirruping surfaces, as well as dollops of tasty third-wave feminist inflections.
“I love you / That feeling / I’ve caught it / Now I can’t send it back / My heart’s under attack.”
Sparkling with animated zest and zing, the flow and glossy feel of the song generates an irresistible infectious shimmering sonic pressure.
Mise en Scene most assuredly has it going on, pushing out assertive, thrilling layers of glistening dream-pop topped by upmarket vocals.
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